I think that Russel Crowe is this generation's Oliver Reed. A bad boy drunkard out of control, but a damn fine actor.

My dad worked with Oliver Reed and told us that he'd stay in his trailer all day getting drunk. They had to carry him onto the set, but the moment the director called 'action', he swung immediately into character and acted his heart out.

Unfortunately when the director yelled 'cut', he'd collapse where he stood and they had to carry him back again.

Fortunately, my dad didn't have that much to do with him. He did the pyrotechnics - gunfire, blowing up buildings, that sort of thing.